Parky

Dave, on queue as ever, pounces on another prey. Was quite generous this time to be honest, Dave can eat posters for lunch if he wants to. So, they don't get banned...Dave just eats em.

Serious? Im tempted to put a £10 on them going down. I'm just glad Sammy Lee is stamping his mark on the team! mackems.gif http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_2659021,00.html Bolton manager Sammy Lee has continued his summer spending with the acquisition of Portsmouth defender Andy O'Brien. The 29-year-old, who signs for an undisclosed fee, has put pen-to-paper on a two-year-deal at The Reebok Stadium, with an option of a further year. Lee has been busy in the summer transfer market, and O'Brien becomes the 12th player to sign on for the club as the new boss looks to put the finishing touches to his squad. The former Newcastle man has gone straight into the squad for Bolton's midweek clash with Fulham, as they look to put their opening-day blues behind them. Lee told the club's official website: "Andy is a great astute acquisition for this football club. "His versatility across the backline will give us greater strength in depth and options in a critical area." O'Brien had fallen out of favour with Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth, and has moved on in search of regular first-team football

I think its funny. Keep on reading it. Don't think many seem to realise that Allardyce would have to sell your entire team to afford his bootlaces. He's absolutely fucking priceless. (Sorry Parky) >

I always have Toure in my FL sides. Last 5 min he always does kamikaze runs into the box looking for contact. The Petrov free kick needs looking at. Riley has always been suspect with the big sides.

I wouldn't bother wth him at those rates.

His dad's been making sweet noises in WestH direction last I heard.

Is he a sinner?

Don't be silly. Gerrard/Red nose/Wenger ref the last 5 min of games these days. blueyes.gif Thought Villa and Reading (the sending off) were robbed.

...is keeping track of how many direct free kicks (in central positions just outside the box) and pens Arsenal, Liverpool and ManU get in the last 5 min if they need a goal. **Chelsea don't get them as I discovered last year. THis weekend.. Arsenal FK 2 Pen 1 Liverpool 2 Pens 0 ManU FK 3 Pens 0 Giggs, Ronaldo, Ronaldo. These days this kind of freekick is almost like half a pen if you have the right players in the side.

Arsenal won't finish in the top 4 you can take that to the bank.

Joint 101st 44pts. That Carragher hand ball cost me dearly.

My work here has only begun Dave. But thanks. You're just mental. Arsenal FFS. Let's see how far off we are in a few months.

My work here has only begun Dave. But thanks.

With certain win against Villa coming up and nothing too deadly till Christmas I have no fears.

Ya all busy counting the points acrued by the inclusion of Geremi?

Nowt special. From range but the keeper should have parried it away easily, instead it went straight through his hands. Keepers having a mare. Like the look of this Kapo fella.

You are right, it wasn't a free kick, and Riley gave them almost everything, but on the other hand, they did deserve to win. I have noticed that Gerrard has started to referee games for himself. Remember that pen against Sheff Utd this time last year? Yesterday's goal against Villa and countless free kicks that came to nothing. Got to be an early candidate for worst referee performance.

Challenging for 4th isn't quite as far away as some people thought eh? Scoff at your peril.

If a player is happy being a sub I want him out of the club. [brian Clough/] well thats harper gone as well then but i do understand the sentiment It's a little different with goalkeepers. There is a long history of understudies in football.

Forgetting whether you think smudger is the new Batty or the new Parker, what impressed me about the team as a whole was the fact that we played 4-3-3 as an attacking shape but when we defended we reverted to a 4-4-2 and not that spectical destroying 4-5-1 that other teams that play 4-3-3 revert to. If Oba defended, Milner stayed higher up the park and vice versa (when we reverted to a full 4-5-1 it was a different story). This constantly allowded the team an amazing ability to counter attack - it was special to watch especially after years of watching a team have trouble organising a 4-4-2, let alone a team that was able to change its' shape to three different formations in the one game successfully. I would doubt that the team's IQ on average has risen by 20 points without Bramble, Dyer and Parker. Some excellent observations black. The formation is fluid depending to some extent where the ball is and who has it. Some of Sam's comments with regards to "...things I need to tell the players.." I should imagine are a lot to do with responsabilities in certain areas of the pitch. It was a welcome change to see a side who knew where they should be and what they should be doing and others moving in accordance. One of the highlights of Smiths display was the almost telepathic understanding he has developed with Butt and Geremi and that when he moved up there was always someone to cover behind him. The other aspect of Smith's play is that he isn't 'drawn to the ball' as Parker used to leaving holes and unbalancing the formation. By the looks of it although Geremi is the cool head, Smith is actually the leader.

....the art of which you have painfully learnt no doubt. Did you notice the thread where I posted a link from last year? The one where you said something like you thought Berbatov will be a waste of money....? He looked woeful against Sunderland to be fair. Hope he flops. Dont know why, I suppose its because he seems to have turned into the world's best striker after a few good cup performances. Still would say a serving of humble pie is in order. Don't think there is any difference in that and me saying I don't think we need Smith. You plainly were of the opinion we 'didn't need' Smith....Even thought you knew Barton was out for 2 months and Owen was injured and we'd lose Geremi for 8 weeks early in the new year. You have admitted already you realise you were wrong which is the sign of a gentleman.

....the art of which you have painfully learnt no doubt.

Well said. I kept track of Smudger for an article I'm working on. People saying he was average I will personally have shot.

To think how much ManU have just spent on Hargreaves. On this kind of form Smith against let's not forget a very combative Bolton at their ground laid down the law early on (he talks a lot as well not totally silent like Parker) and never let go of his zone. Fergy had to let him go, but it looks like a mistake.